Noida gripped by panic over child abduction rumors; school attendance drops, parents alter routines

• Noida residents are in a state of fear due to widespread rumors of child abductions, despite police assurances.
• Social media forwards and neighborhood conversations have significantly disrupted daily life, leading to parents withdrawing children from schools and limiting outdoor movement.
• Authorities confirm no evidence supports abduction claims, but fear persists, forcing difficult personal decisions like parents quitting jobs to ensure child safety.
• Police officials state no verified abduction reports received, suggesting panic stems from misleading social media posts from January about missing girls in Delhi.
• Schools and NGOs in Noida villages report sharp drops in attendance, with some schools implementing new safety measures to reassure parents.